Mahesh Bhatt, Indian theatre troupes finally granted Pakistani visas

The ace filmmaker will stage his play Daddy at NAPA's International Theatre Festival

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt is happy that the Pakistani government has given green signal to all Indian theatre troupes due to reach Karachi for NAPA's International Theatre Festival.

The festival is an annual event which not only offers an opportunity to local talent to showcase their work, but also allows international artists to collaborate with their counterparts in Pakistan.

Earlier this month, an Indian production was refused a visa to attend the festival, prompting the veteran filmmaker to announce that unless the rest of the troupes managed to obtain visas, he wouldn't take his play Daddy to Pakistan.

This play is based on Mahesh Bhatt’s 1989 film of the same name. Starring Anupam Kher, Manohar Singh, Soni Razdan and Mahesh Bhatt’s daughter Pooja Bhatt in her debut role, the film relates the story of a teenage girl who helps her long-lost father bring his life back on track after years of alcoholism.

Along with Daddy the other two Indian plays due to be showcased at the event were are Kasomal Sapno and Indo-Pak collaborative project Tum Kaun.

“All is well that ends well. It is a happy ending for us as the Pakistan Embassy has given a NOC to all the Indian plays which were to travel to Karachi for the theatre festival. I thank them from the bottom of my heart,” Bhatt told Press Trust of India.

Bhatt further explained that the unfortunate situation was due to a misunderstanding which has now been cleared up.

“I met the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan and he said that there was some kind of miscommunication. The papers had not landed at the place where they were supposed to; there was some sort of a slip-up. He assured me that there was no intention to jeopardise the cultural event,” he said.

Bhatt is due to arrive in Karachi on March 30 along with his daughter Pooja and the team of Daddy.